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Know the Signs of Heart Attack Before They Arise

ALBANY, N.Y., June 28, 2013 — The more you know about the signals that a heart attack is occurring, the better chance you have of recovering or getting appropriate help, according to Albany Med’s heart team.

“While many heart attack symptoms could indicate something else is happening, being aware of potential signals can be critical to knowing when to seek help,” said Edward Philbin, M.D., chief of Cardiology at Albany Medical Center.

Here are the major heart attack warning signs:

Chest pain or discomfort: Feelings could include an ache, pressure or squeezing lasting minutes, and could come and go.

Upper body pain: Pain in either arm or shoulder, back or neck. May or may not accompany chest pain.

Jaw pain: Particularly lower jaw pain, accompanied by other symptoms.

Intense anxiety: An overwhelming sense of doom for no apparent reason.

Shortness of breath: You might begin panting, or take involuntary deep breaths.

Sweating: You unexpectedly sweat, and skin becomes clammy.

Dizziness: Lightheadedness, to the point you feel you might pass out.

Fatigue: A key indicator, especially in conjunction with the presence of other symptoms.

Indigestion/nausea: Stomach pain and/or vomiting.

Racing heart: An accelerated pulse rate, even at rest.

“If you suspect you or someone near might be having a heart attack, do not play doctor. Call 911 or otherwise seek immediate medical help. Everyone second counts,” Philbin said.For more information go to www.amc.edu/heart.

Albany Medical Center, northeastern New York’s only academic health sciences center, is one of the largest private employers in the Capital Region. It incorporates the 651-bed Albany Medical Center Hospital, which offers the widest range of medical and surgical services in the region, and the Albany Medical College, which trains the next generation of doctors, scientists and other healthcare professionals, and also includes a biomedical research enterprise and the region’s largest physicians practice with nearly 400 doctors. Albany Medical Center works with dozens of community partners to improve the region’s health and quality of life. For more information: www.amc.edu or www.facebook.com/albanymedicalcenter.

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